Governor Signs Law Enhancing Accountability for Government Claims

Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Assembly Bill 2529 (AB 2529) into law, reforming the Government Claims Act to increase accountability for claims made against public entities or employees. The bill was conceived and co-sponsored by the Cities of Hidden Hills and Carson.

The new law, effective January 1, 2027, mandates that any claim against a public entity or employee must include a declaration that its contents are "true and correct." Previously, courts allowed claims to be filed without verification of factual assertions. AB 2529 establishes a uniform statewide standard for this process.

"Until now, someone could file a claim against a city without any real obligation to stand behind the facts they alleged, while taxpayers were often left footing the bill simply to make the claim go away," said Hidden Hills Councilmember Eniko Gold. "AB 2529 brings greater accountability to that process."

Hidden Hills and Carson developed the bill's concept and built a coalition of support, including the California Contract Cities Association, Public Risk Innovation, Solutions, and Management (PRISM), and numerous individual cities. The bill passed the State Senate 39-0 and the Assembly 62-4 before being signed by the governor.